THE EFFECT OF WORK STATUS ON INITIATION AND DURATION OF BREAST-FEEDING

Objectives. In this study: longitudinal data are used to examine the e ffect of work status on breast-feeding initiation and duration. Method s. Mothers from a mail panel completed questionnaires during late preg nancy and 10 times in the infant's first year Mother's work status mas categorized for initiation by hours she expected, before delivery to work and for duration by hours she worked at month 3. Covariates were demographics; parity; medical, delivery, and hospital experiences; soc ial support: embarrassment; and health promotion. Results. Expecting t o work part-time neither decreased nor increased the probability of br east-feeding relative to expecting not to work (odds ratios [ORs]=.83 and .89, p>.50), but expecting to work full-time decreased the probabi lity of breast-feeding (OR =.47, P <.01).Working full-time at 3 months postpartum decreased breast-feeding duration by an average of 8.6 wee ks (P <.001) relative to not working, but part-lime work of 4 ol fewer hours per day did not affect duration and part-time work of more than 4 hours Fer day decreased duration less than full-time work. Conclusi on. Part-time work is an effective strategy to help mothers combine br east-feeding and employment.